Personal Development and Self-Help – Page 6

January 24, 2018January 5, 2018

The Importance of Self-Respect

Why is self-respect so important?

When you have self-respect, you actually fully love yourself.

You love yourself for who you are on the inside and not just because of what you do, what you look like, or what you’re capable of.

When you have self-respect, you take pride in who you are and you know that you’re valuable.

On the flip side, without self-respect, it’s difficult to have honesty, confidence, and integrity.

Instead, a person without self-respect may feel the emotions of anger, guilt, blame, shame, or regret, and they sport secretive behavior because deep down they feel unworthy.

Beyond that, if you can’t respect yourself, how can you respect others and how can others respect you?

Putting Your Needs First

Too many people put the needs of others before their own.

Although this is admirable, in order to respect and serve others, you need to meet your own physical and emotional needs first.

Meeting your own needs first is an important part of respecting yourself.

Here’s a story of Joan, who realized too late the importance of respecting her own needs:

Joan had a friend that she did everything for.

She would always put the needs of her friend before her own.

Whenever her friend needed help with something, big or small, Joan would always be there even if she had to rearrange her own schedule.

It worked for a while, but then Joan began to feel that the constant help for her friend was becoming emotionally taxing.

It was almost as if Joan became a servant to her friend.

She wasn’t Joan; she was just her friend’s “friend.” Even her friend began to think of her that way.

Eventually Joan began to feel like her friend was taking advantage of her and these feelings escalated into resentment.

Joan started to make excuses to get out of helping her friend. Now they are no longer friends.

What happened?

Joan was trying to achieve self-respect and thought she could only gain self-respect by putting her friend’s needs before her own.

She was trying to prove she deserved respect instead of looking into herself and finding the great things about herself that already deserved respect.

Because she didn’t even respect herself, her friend didn’t respect her either.

If Joan respected herself and her own needs, she might have communicated her feelings to her friend and put her own schedule first sometimes.

Joan would’ve felt the confidence to do the things she needed to do for herself in addition to doing things for her friend.

Fundamentally, Joan’s self-respect would have allowed her friend to respect her also.

There’s a good chance that Joan and her friend would still be friends if she had only looked inside herself and realized that there was already a lot to respect.

There’s nothing wrong with stepping up for others, but you must have a solid sense of self-respect for yourself first.

Respecting the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Because you’re a unique human being with strengths and great qualities of your own, you need to respect your entire mind, body, and spirit.

Don’t look in a mirror and say, “I’m not attractive” or “I’m so stupid.” That’s not what matters.

Don’t you think your loved ones love you unconditionally?

Of course! They love you because of what’s inside of you.

They respect you for who you really are and you need to respect yourself too.

You need to respect yourself because you have an inner being that demands your patience, love and respect.

If you find yourself to be unattractive, unintelligent or uninspired, throw that mentality out the window!

Respect your body because it is the home of your mind and spirit, then harness that spirit and love it because it is who you are.

Loving your body, mind, and spirit is the key to gaining self-respect.

It is then that you can extend yourself out to meet the needs of others.

Which of your current qualities are the result of a lesson learned from a mistake?

How often do you take time to reflect on the results of your mistakes?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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January 22, 2018January 5, 2018

Tips for Making a Public Speech

If you find yourself in a position where you have to give a public presentation, you may be racked with nerves at the thought of standing in front of a group.

It’s normal to be scared.

After all, probably most people in your audience would be just as nervous in front of a crowd too!

Here are some public speaking tips for conquering your fear and being a successful speaker:

1. Practice makes perfect.

Make your speech in front of a mirror or a friend so you can accurately time your speech and get into a rhythm.

Practice speaking out loud, especially if there are hard to pronounce words or names.

2. You’re the expert, so speak with conviction.

Even if you don’t know everything about the topic, you should know enough about it to make it through your speech.

3. Project your voice.

Even though you’ll likely use a microphone, if you speak too softly your audience members in the back of the room might not hear you well.

Projecting your voice conveys confidence to your audience.

4. Maintain eye contact.

Periodically glance around the room and use the 3-second rule while looking directly into someone’s eyes.

Doing so will make your audience will feel more involved.

The 3-second rule means you take your eyes off your notes and look around the room.

Focus on a face for 3 seconds and then continue scanning the room.

5. Use humor in your speech.

Even if you’re speaking about a dry topic, draw something funny into your speech.

Not all of us are born comedians, so don’t go overboard on this if it isn’t natural.

6. Pause periodically.

This gives your audience time to reflect and think about what you have said.

This will also give you a breather so you can speak without feeling out of breath. It also paces what you say.

7. Use note cards.

Note cards will remind you of the important points you want to make in your speech.

Avoid writing out your entire speech and then reading it, however.

This shows that you haven’t really practiced what you’re going to say and it can affect your speech if you start to fumble around for your place.

Short note cards with an outline of your topic or short facts can be helpful in keeping you on topic.

8. Don’t worry if you make a mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time.

If this happens to you, just go on with what you were saying.

If you need to take a moment to re-align your thoughts, feel free to take it.

9. You’re in command of the stage when you’re the speaker.

Most audiences are quite forgiving, so just keep moving forward if you make a mistake.

10. Familiarize yourself with the audio-visual aids.

Much like your speech, make sure all the equipment is working and that you’re familiar with the room and equipment ahead of time.

11. Speak to your audience.

Be aware of your audience’s reactions to what you’re saying.

If what you’ve said is not being understood, find a way to restate it.

12. Handouts are a good aid.

You can do this one of two ways.

Hand them out at the beginning of your presentation or as a summary at the end.

13. Keep your speech within the time parameters.

Stop when your time is up.

When you practice ahead of time, you’ll get good at keeping within the time limits.

Every good speaker has had to learn how to give a good speech through trial and error, so the more speeches you give, the better you’ll become!

Many speakers say that stage fright never really stops, but being prepared can definitely decrease the level of fear.

Planning your speech ahead of time and talking about something you’re passionate about can be an amazing experience.

How do you feel about giving a speech in public?

How do you prepare yourself for the occasion?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 21, 2018January 5, 2018

Top 10 Powerful Words to Keep You Motivated

No matter where you are on your life journey, setbacks can cause disappointment and a loss of momentum.

Whether it’s a new career you’re working towards or an overall appreciation of life, every step towards fulfillment can seem financially, emotionally, or psychologically draining from time to time.

To boost your confidence, here’s a list of the top 10 power words and tips to keep you motivated and passionate, no matter what life throws your way:

1. Purpose.

Whenever you’re feeling discouraged or disappointed, always remember your original purpose.

Reminding yourself of the original reason for venturing down your path in the first place will help refresh your mind when things go awry.

2. Planning.

Though you may think that you’ve done enough planning towards the fulfillment of your goal, thinking it through again will help eliminate aspects of your plan of action that may be causing you setbacks.

Put all your thoughts down on paper, from the smallest details to the larger movements.

Being able to see the timeline of your mission will help you focus on taking one step at a time to reach your goals.

3. Acceptance.

Accepting that you’re a human being who’s bound to have ups and downs is absolutely crucial to your success.

Without this self-acceptance, you’ll be subject to a foggy mind that’s unable to think positively, clearly, and innovatively.

Acceptance of what hasn’t worked in the past helps you gain a better knowledge of what will work in the future.

4. Reward.

When your motivation starts to wean, it’s crucial to give yourself rewards along the way.

This is one of the best ways to stay motivated on your path to success.

By giving yourself a taste of what you’re working for – whether it’s financial freedom, career responsibility, or your dream lifestyle – you won’t feel like you’re working so hard for nothing.

This refreshes your mind and helps you work more productively.

5. Health.

You know what this entails: moderate exercise, a healthy diet, and 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Feeling worn-down will make it almost impossible to pursue your goals and vision with the same clarity and vigor you had when you first set out.

Take care of your basic needs first, and you’ll be strong enough to pursue your dreams.

6. Motivation.

Research motivational books, CDs, and seminars.

Sometimes hearing motivational tips from a different perspective can greatly motivate you to act and succeed.

Find a source or two that touches you in some way and keep them close for those moments when you feel discouraged.

After all, we all get discouraged at one time or another.

7. Organization.

Ever feel depressed and worn out, and then you clean your surroundings and instantly feel more focused and motivated?

The same applies to your goal. Organize and clean house when it comes to the operation of your goal.

Organizing yourself gives you a fresh start and a feeling of clarity.

In doing so, you’ll be able to attack your short and long-term goals more vigorously and effectively.

8. Refresh.

Refresh your plan with something new. It could be a different tactic, setting, or career.

Whatever it is, break out of the pattern you’re in and try something new.

Even if this new tactic doesn’t yield positive results immediately, at the very least it will make you aware of the availability of your options.

9. Networking.

Reach out to people in your industry or those who share your life goal.

You can do this a number of ways: check out local clubs, find a plethora people online, or talk to existing contacts that may have already succeeded in your goal.

Having someone to voice your struggles, questions, and experience to will invigorate you to keep moving forward.

10. Action.

Taking action, despite doubts and setbacks, will further your progress.

By moving on, despite any pessimistic thoughts, you will motivate yourself by the sheer momentum of doing something proactive to change your circumstances.

Whenever you feel like your progress has stalled, or you simply want some quick inspiration, look to these 10 powerful words and strategies to spur you on.

You’re sure to find something to get you back on track toward success!

What can you do, today, to tie up the loose ends of your projects and accomplish your goals?

How can you nurture your spirit today?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 20, 2018January 5, 2018

What is Self-Care and Why is it Important?

Defining self-care is easy because it’s the opposite of self-sabotage or self-control.

To successfully achieve self-care, you must have a self-care plan.

It’s through that structured plan that you’re going to be able to properly care for your very being.

Self-care isn’t just about brushing your teeth or combing your hair.

Self-care is for the needs within you.

Self-care is caring for your soul, your inner self, and your very being.

Building a Solid Self-Care Plan

A good self-care plan reminds you of what you want to accomplish.

After all, you have values, goals, and a purpose in your life.

This plan reminds you about what you need to do to take care of you.

Using a day planner or making notes to yourself can remind you of your goals and the things you need to do to take care of your body, mind, and soul.

Your self-care plan gives you a solid foundation for what you want to do and how you can accomplish it.

You should also provide yourself with inspirational quotes and affirmations.

This is the spiritual food that keeps you focused on your own personal well being.

Not only do you have the reminders of what to do, but you also have little pieces of inspiration around you to remind you of why you’re doing it!

In addition to inspirational quotes, you can hang motivating pictures throughout your home and office.

These pictures may be of exotic places you’d like to visit someday, or tranquil images of nature.

Your pictures may be something that you want to attract into your life or may remind you of a positive memory from your past.

You can also have a photo of your family to remind you of what’s important to you.

Your self-care plan should inspire you and remind you of why you want to take care of your body, mind, and spirit.

Another aspect of your self-care plan is tracking your progress.

Let’s say you have a hard time getting motivated to exercise.

By keeping a log of your exercise time, you can keep yourself focused on achieving a healthier you.

A food journal is also a good way to track your food choices so you can remind yourself that you need to eat nutritious foods.

In addition, you can use a journal to record your mental and emotional health.

Write down what’s going on inside of you so you can evaluate your feelings and proactively take care of your mental health.

Your self-care plan tracks your progress to help you stay on track toward your goals.

You can use these aspects of planning toward anything in your life so you have that solid foundation you need to take care of yourself.

Just make sure to take care of the inside as well as the outside.

Creating a Personalized Self-Care Plan

You may need to motivate yourself to initiate your self-care plan.

For some, beginning any new task may be daunting.

In addition, you’ll want to be sure you can find motivation along the way to help keep you on track.

Ask yourself about what has motivated you in the past.

Use this as your motivation toward the things you need to do to take care of yourself.

A good motivator to keep you on track is to have a family member, friend, or spouse hold you accountable.

If you slip up in your efforts to proactively take care of yourself, they will let you know so you can renew your focus and get back on course.

It’s important to have some sort of structure in place for successful self-care.

You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.

A good self-care plan will provide you with the vigor, attitude, and energy to enjoy life to its fullest!

In what area of your life do you need to ask for help in order to move closer to your goals?

How have you nourished yourself to continue your positive transformations?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 12, 2018January 5, 2018

How To Deal With Disappointment

Everyone faces disappointments in life, both big and small.

Unfortunately, many of us choose to complain and whine about our problems to the immense irritation of others.

It’s important to acknowledge our disappointments and not just ignore them, but how do we do it effectively without being a nag to others?

The answer lies in learning constructive ways to acknowledge disappointments.

Disappointment can build character and patience if you allow it to.

Learning to deal with your disappointments constructively can make you a stronger person in the end.

Coping with Disappointment

The first thing you need to do in learning to deal with disappointment is recognize your old coping strategies.

Everybody has them.

Do you reach for the pint of ice cream or withdraw into a room all alone?

Do you get drunk and try to forget?

Once you recognize that your old strategy isn’t working, it’s time to create a new one.

Here are 5 tips for effectively dealing with your disappointments:

1. Acknowledge what you’re feeling.

You can honestly express the emotions you’re feeling without blaming or punishing others.

This is about how you feel about the situation, not others.

Articulate your feelings without attacking others.

Always be respectful, but don’t be afraid to let them know how you feel.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to feel.

Your feelings are valid and if you don’t voice your opinion then you’ll harbor resentment and stress yourself out.

Be honest with yourself about how you really feel about the situation.

2. Put things in perspective.

Even small disappointments can seem monumental at first.

But once you’ve expressed your hurt, frustration, or anger, take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

How much of an effect is this disappointment going to have on you tomorrow, next week, or next year?

Take a deep breath and go for a walk to put your disappointment into perspective.

Taking time to reflect and step away from the situation will help calm your nerves so you’ll be better able to handle the disappointment.

3. Refuse to doubt yourself.

Sometimes disappointment can make you feel like a failure.

You may wonder why these things happen to you or you may think you were stupid to get your hopes up in the first place.

But none of that is the truth.

Don’t allow yourself to give in to these negative thoughts!

Disappointment is not unique to you.

Everyone has been disappointed at some time in their life.

Instead of getting down on yourself, think about what could have been done differently and learn from the experience.

4. Look for a solution or compromise.

You can’t have your way all the time but sometimes there may be a second option that’s agreeable to each party.

Take a few deep breaths, relax, and look for the “silver lining.”

It’s possible to find something positive in almost every situation.

5. Reevaluate and make changes if necessary.

Sometimes when we experience disappointment, it may be a sign that we need to re-examine our priorities.

Depending on the degree of disappointment you’re facing, you may need to make minor or major changes to your life.

Learn to be flexible. Refocusing your attention on your new goals will help you forget about your disappointment.

Don’t Give Up

Any person who has had even a small degree of success in life has faced disappointments.

Winners simply don’t quit.

They learn from their failures and disappointments and go on to achieve their goals.

You can become your own biggest motivator!

Don’t underestimate the power of encouraging yourself by saying, “I can do this. I can make it.

I will get through this and become a better person!”

You don’t need to allow disappointment to lower your self-confidence.

That’s not to say that you need to gloss over your feeling, but you can simply learn how to deal with your disappointments effectively, then move on to bigger and better things.

What do you need to do to sustain yourself on your life journey?

How do you surround yourself with people who help you become your best self?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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January 10, 2018January 5, 2018

Self-Care for Women: Making Sure Your Needs Are Met

Self-care can be very difficult for women because times have changed significantly.

Nowadays, most women have many of the same responsibilities as they had fifty years ago, plus they work to make ends meet or because they enjoy pursuing a career.

These intense responsibilities make it more difficult than ever for a woman to take care of her body, mind, and spirit the way that she needs to.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is what women need to do to take care of themselves holistically on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

Self-care for women means getting in touch with her inner self and pampering it.

After all, you deserve to be pampered!

Without taking care of your entire body, mind and spirit, you can literally drive yourself to exhaustion.

Plus, if you lose touch with yourself, then you’re more likely to lose touch with your family, friends, and career.

It’s Time to Make Time

Although it may seem as if time isn’t available, it’s time to make time.

Start with a few minutes of me-time before bed to reflect, pray, or meditate.

First, determine your preferred way to care for yourself before bed.

Maybe you enjoy writing in a journal to write your feelings out and reflect upon those things.

Maybe you feel that listening to music while taking a bubble bath is exactly what you need.

Maybe prayer or meditation helps re-center your soul.

Be sure to give priority to your me-time so you can meet your emotional and spiritual needs.

You want to make sure your own needs are met before trying to meet the needs of others.

After all, how can you effectively meet the needs of others if you can’t even meet your own?

Being a woman, people turn to you for answers.

They turn to you with questions about life, family, career, and just about anything under the sun.

You have to be mentally prepared to take on anything, which is why self-care is very important in your life.

You must be a trustworthy source for yourself before anyone else.

Manage the Stress in your Life

There are numerous demands and responsibilities placed on your shoulders, which can cause crippling stress.

Reducing your stress is crucial for your physical and mental well being.

Managing stress includes doing things such as exercising and enjoying hobbies and other activities.

If you like to work crossword puzzles, work a crossword puzzle!

If you like to play computer games, play computer games!

If you need a girls’ night out, call up your friends and go out! It’s crucial to eliminate as much stress as possible by taking some time to relax and enjoy yourself.

If you’re frustrated at work, work through those frustrations by analyzing the situation and listing the things you can do to make it better.

Just letting the situation sit and simmer is not going to make it any better because it may eventually come to a boil.

If there are situations in your life that need attention, give them attention.

This is another aspect of self-care because you’re making sure you eliminate as much conflict as possible in your life before they consume you.

This is especially important to women because women deal with conflict on a different level than men.

Where some men duke it out on a physical level, women do it more on an emotional level.

You can stand your ground by keeping your body, mind, and spirit healthy.

Paying attention to your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs is paramount to a healthy well-being in today’s world.

When you make self-care a priority, you’re able to fully enjoy your life on all levels.

Be sure to follow these self-care tips in your life. You’ll be glad you did!

How often do you take time to care for yourself?

What do you do to relax?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 30, 2017

Discovering Your Creative Energy – 4 Ideas to Help You Be More Creative

There are times when we all want to be more creative.

We wish that there were something we could do to express ourselves and create something beautiful at the same time.

If you’re looking for ways to discover your creative side and release the artist within, here are a few simple activities that you can do to get the creative energy flowing.

1. Express Yourself

What type of personality do you have?

Are you able to express that personality freely at work or with friends?

If not, tackle one of these projects and let your personality shine!

Decorate your house, or at least one room, the way you like it.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else tells you, just decorate your room, your way.

This will help you unleash your own self-expression.

Dress the way you want. If tackling the house is too big of a job, then take a look at your wardrobe.

Dress how you want to dress. Trust yourself and trust your instincts.

You are dressing for you, not the world.

Don’t worry; you can express yourself while still being professional at work.

You have to find ways in everything you do to allow creativity to flow through you.

This can be as simple as the way you sign a letter, mail an envelope, the way you dress or the house that you live in.

2. Change Your Routine

If you’re stuck in a rut, do things that take you out of your normal routine.

It doesn’t really matter how stimulating your work or home life is, when you take a moment to step out of your normal routine for some “me time,” you’ll be open to new ideas and new thoughts.

How can you step out of your normal routine?

Read a book that you wouldn’t usually pick up

Watch a movie that you wouldn’t typically choose

Talk to a total stranger that you think looks interesting

Go shopping at a store that you have never been to. You don’t necessarily have to buy anything, just go in and look around.

Meet a friend you haven’t seen for a long time

3. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

Another simple activity to increase your creativity is to pay attention to your surroundings.

You may laugh and think that is absolutely ridiculous – after all, you see the same things and people everyday, and you probably even drive the same route to and from work, too.

But try to take a few moments and actually pay attention to your surroundings.

See things the way they are and not the way you think they are.

Take a different route home from work. Discover shortcuts or new neighborhoods.

Sit on a park bench and people watch. Think of stories for each person or couple that you see.

Have you ever really paid attention to the people in your office?

What about the person that sits right across from you?

Take five or ten minutes and take notice. Don’t stare, but pay attention.

You just may find that other people can be quite the source of inspiration for creativity.

4. Use Your Imagination

If you have a favorite poem or story that you loved as a kid, sit down and start writing that story, but make the changes that you always thought should be there.

What were Jack and Jill really doing on their way up the hill?

If they were fetching a pail of water, what was the water for?

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel, simply make the everyday your own.

Increasing your creativity starts in small, simple ways.

Your life is filled with opportunities for you to test your creative energies but it’s up to you to take action!

How creative have you been lately?

How did it feel to show and use your creativity?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 30, 2017

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil reside in the same individual. – Arthur Koestler

December 28, 2017

Why Should You Get a Coach?

What’s easier: Working toward your goals alone through trial and error, or seeking the guidance and direction of someone who’s been there and done that?

The answer is obvious. When you seek the advice of someone who has been through it all before, you can then avoid the same mistakes and focus your time and energy on what truly works. That’s the power of a life coach.

Imagine yourself with a set plan and just the right advice. Coaching may shave years off the time it would have taken you to reach your goals otherwise!

Here are the top 7 reasons why you need a life coach:

1. Builds confidence. You know you’re under the guidance of someone successful and that your goals are attainable.

2. Guided plan. Sure, you can draft up a plan by yourself, but when you write out your plans with the help of a coach, you know you’re getting a realistic plan that works!

Your coach will know shortcuts and can help you stay accountable as well.

3. Coaches can help you cope with current conflicts and tensions in your life.

They can also give you tips on how to avoid similar situations in the future.

4. Personal attention. Coaching allows you to get one on one attention so you can be personally guided along your chosen path.

If you run into struggles, your coach will be there to provide much needed support and suggestions.

5. Dealing with challenges. Things will not always go according to plan. When you hit a snag, your coach can help you overcome the challenge and steer you back into the correct direction.

You can feel comfortable knowing that you’re receiving expert guidance.

6. You can decide how you’d like to use your coach.

Do you want help with short-term goals or long-term goals? Perhaps you’d like both.

7. Your coach likely has a great deal of enthusiasm for their work, which will naturally rub off on you.

Sometimes it may be difficult to keep up your drive, but thankfully, inspiration is one of the main reasons why coaches exist.

Finding a Coach That’s Right for You

There are a few tips you should keep in mind when searching for a coach that will mesh well with your personal style.

The first concern is that your coach should have certain credentials and experience.

It depends on the field you’re in, but ensure you do your homework when it comes to checking up on your coach.

See if you can find testimonials and reviews about potential coaches.

Ask around and try to talk to someone else who has been coached by this person. After all, a good referral is always more trusted!

Communicate with your potential coach and see what his or her communication style is like.

Ask yourself whether or not you think you’d get along well with this person.

Some people might think the coach is fabulous, but if you don’t think you’ll personally communicate well, then it may not be a good fit for you.

Make sure your coaching sessions will be conducted in a format that you find comfortable.

Ask yourself whether you’re the type of person that needs to meet face to face.

Nowadays with technology we can communicate in many different ways.

Coaching sessions can take place over the phone, email, video conferencing, or in-person.

In the end you should be proud of yourself for seeking expert help.

Follow these strategies to find a great life coach for you and jumpstart your journey into the life you desire.

How do you feel about having a coach?

How can this help you live your life better?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 13, 2017

How to Help a Loved One Withdraw from an Addiction

Addictions of all kinds can be incredibly difficult to overcome.

When a loved one is suffering from an addiction, it can greatly affect you as well.

Naturally, you don’t like to watch them suffer and you’re searching for ways to help.

The truth is that loved ones are usually best equipped to help because they’re loving and trustworthy.

Here is a list of tips to keep in mind when helping someone with addictions:

Help Them Make Wise Choices. Sometimes it’s not so easy to make a wise choice for yourself.

A pair of eyes on the outside may be just what your loved one needs.

Suggest alternatives to their addictive behaviors. Make sure not to belittle or judge them but, instead, listen to what they have to say.

Offer Love and Support. Your loved one needs to know that they’ll have love and support even in vulnerable times.

Make sure you’re there for them no matter what. It can be the difference between getting over the addiction, and suffering from it forever.

Help Them Through Cravings. Your loved one will endure many cravings, especially when they first withdraw from their addictive behavior.

You have to be there in order to keep them from the addictive behavior at all costs.

Make suggestions for alternative things that they can engage in, instead of the addiction.

Get Medical Help. You need to be wise enough to realize that sometimes a medical professional is required to intervene.

If these situations arise, have the necessary phone numbers handy in order to get help as quickly as possible.

Form an Intervention. Interventions are great ways of showing your loved one that many people care about him or her and their health.

They work because the sufferer realizes that their actions are affecting and being noticed by many people around them.

They’re then able to stop the denial about the whole situation.

Attend a Meeting. It’s likely that there are local meetings about the particular addiction that your loved one is suffering from.

These meetings are not just for the sufferer, but also for anyone affected by the addiction.

You can attend these meeting as well in order to offer support and gain a better understanding about this affliction.

Understand Withdrawal. It will help you to further educate yourself on what happens when a person hits withdrawal.

If they’re suffering from a drug addiction, there may be many unsettling physical symptoms that occur as well as psychological ones.

You can expect headaches and vomiting just to name a few.

Avoid Boredom and Stress. After withdrawal symptoms have settled down, relapses can occur if the sufferer is bored or stressed.

While you may not be able to always physically be there for your loved one, you can equip them with ideas on how to combat boredom or severe stress.

Give them a list of specific things they can turn to if they feel their addictions calling.

Remember that it’s also important to make time for you.

Most people don’t realize the large impact that addictions have on the loved ones of the person suffering. It’s difficult to watch on the sidelines.

Just keep in mind that, with your love and support, they’ll be far more likely to overcome addiction and return to normal.

How do you feel about helping your loved one through this journey?

What can you do to make it easier for your loved one?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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